“She Loves This Country”: Gayle King Says Oprah Is Intrigued by Running for Office

Gayle King was on CBS This Morning like usual, and wearing the yellow dress that marks her anniversary of joining the show. (Happy sixth, Gayle!) But this morning was also special because the host spoke about her longtime friend, Oprah Winfrey, and the rumors of a presidential run that have flourished since her speech at the Golden Globes on Sunday night.

“I don’t think her position has changed,” King said, referring to Winfrey’s previous stance that she would never actually run. On the other hand, change might on its way. King continued, “I was up talking with her very late last night. I do think she’s intrigued by the idea.”

King has said in a past interview, nearly a year ago, “I would bet my first, second-born, and any unborn children to come, that ain’t never happening.“ She continued, for even more emphasis: “never. I’ll say never on this one. Nevah, N-E-V-A-H. Nevah.” Now she’s softened that declaration, with a bit of course correction. “After years of watching the Oprah show,” King said this morning, she knows that everyone has “the right to change your mind.”

“I don’t think, at this point, she’s actually considering it,” she continued. “But listen there are people who have said they want to be her campaign manager. They want to quit their jobs and campaign for her. She loves this country and would like to be of service some way.”

Though speculation about President Winfrey has existed for years, it ramped up on Sunday thanks to her rapturous speech at the Golden Globes, while accepting the lifetime achievement Cecille B. DeMille award. There she stood, saying, “A new day is on the horizon!” Text chains far and wide filled with, “O for P? O for P!”

Even Winfrey’s longtime partner, Stedman Graham, seemed to confirm a bid for the ticket, telling the Los Angeles Times, “It’s up to the people. She would absolutely do it.” (King clarified that Stedman misheard a reporter’s question, and though he was asked, “Would she make a good president?” She said he would never be so “cavalier” about what Oprah would or wouldn’t do).

Whatever Oprah felt prior to this weekend regarding running for office, in the sober light of Monday morning, it was clear something changed. As her other friend, Meryl Streep,toldThe Washington Post, “She launched a rocket tonight. I want her to run for president. I don’t think she had any intention [of declaring]. But now she doesn’t have a choice.”

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